Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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1207. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of Traveller halting sites considered by his Department to be overcrowded; the number of Travellers living in overcrowded conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8961/20]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers in their areas. My Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist the authorities in providing such accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding. 

My Department provides funding to local authorities under their five-year Traveller Accommodation Programmes to support the accommodation needs of Traveller families in a range of circumstances identified by the local authorities, including to address circumstances of overcrowding.  The management of the programmes locally, and the selection, prioritisation and submission of projects, is a matter for each local authority.

Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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1208. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the amount spent on Traveller accommodation in 2019; the estimated amount to be spent in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8962/20]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas.  My Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist the authorities in providing such accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding. 

In 2019 my Department provided a total of €8.7m in capital funding to local authorities for Traveller accommodation projects. In 2020, there is a capital budget of €14.5m available to local authorities.  It is open to all local authorities to apply for and drawdown funds from this budget at any time throughout the year.  In 2020 to date, a total of €3.1m  has been drawn down.